As demand for internet access and reliability continues to grow at greater levels, a new technology makes a bold promise of providing real world lightning fast internet speed to its users. This is the promise of Li-Fi.
Invented in 2011 by Professor Harald Haas of the University of Edinburgh, Li-Fi is an alternative method for wireless internet connectivity that uses visible light communication (VLC) being transmitted by LED lights to send data. Considering that light itself travels relatively fast, scientists behind this technology say this makes data network transfers relatively quicker than Wi-Fi connections. IBTimes reported early this year that lab tests showed Li-Fi can achieve speeds of 224 gigabits per second (Gbps) for both upload and download, which means one can download high definition movies and games in just a matter of seconds.
The technology also has its drawbacks. Since light cannot pass through walls, Li-Fi's connectivity range is more limited compared to Wi-Fi. There is also the issue of power usage as the lights being used for the technology will mean more consumption.
However, Li-Fi proponents believe that such limitations serve as an advantage as well as they would make Li-Fi connections more secure and efficient. As noted by Yahoo, the challenge would lie in the development of new techniques for such technology to be made available on current devices, which may lead to more smart home appliances that would serve to help transmit Li-Fi signals.
With such promise being seen with the technology, this does not mean Li-Fi will serve to replace Wi-Fi completely. In fact, Li-Fi and Wi-Fi technologies could be used in parallel to help create better wireless networks.
While Li-Fi is still a pretty young technology at the moment, a number of companies have shown keen interest in utilizing this technology as a connectivity solution. Most notable of them is an Estonian startup company Velmenni which, according to Mashable, started installing Li-Fi in various offices and industrial environments in its home country of Estonia. So far, the results have been promising as Velmenni reported speeds of up to 1 Gbps being achieved by its Li-Fi network.
Proponents are optimistic that if the infrastructure to handle Li-Fi catches up quick, Li-Fi could be adopted in a wider scale to meet the growing demand for connectivity. Faster and more reliable internet connection access on the go is what Li-Fi is all about.
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